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EPA settles with Suncor after finding violations during inspection following clay-link gunk spew

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:52 GMT

The Environmental Protection Agency reached a settlement agreement with Suncor Energy after the federal agency found multiple flaws in the Commerce City refinery’s safety reporting systems during a 2020 inspection.The EPA’s inspection followed a 2019 malfunction that caused the refinery to spew ash and a clay-like gunk across the area, prompting anger in the surrounding community and attention from state lawmakers and regulators. Suncor officials apologized and offered free car washes after the mess blanketed neighborhoods.Under the settlement agreement, Suncor will pay $60,000 in civil penalties and spend $240,030 on equipment for the South Adams County Fire Department that will help firefighters respond to chemical release accidents at the refinery, according to an EPA news release.The EPA’s inspection, which took place over three days in September 2020, found Suncor failed to timely report two chemical releases and failed to report sulfuric acid in its industria...

Opinion: Refusing to teach preschool students with gay parents is cruel and evil

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:52 GMT

Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila’s fight to turn some preschool children away from the schools under his control has no legal basis, no moral standing, and no foundation in the teachings of Jesus Christ.Would Aquila take Jesus’ words – “let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” – and add a caveat “unless they (or their parents) are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer?”The Archdiocese of Denver’s lawsuit filed against the state of Colorado is jarring. In 35 pages, the head of Colorado’s northern Catholic churches alleges that his preschools cannot teach LGBTQ children or the children of gay parents because it would violate the church’s sincerely held religious belief that homosexuality and living as transgender are sins.The dioceses responded to my question about how the school screens students for admission with a statement from Nick Reeves, counsel with the law firm Becket representing ...

Hilary drenched deserts and flooded roadways in California. Now it’s threatening Oregon and Idaho

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:52 GMT

By MARK J. TERRILL, JOHN ANTCZAK and JULIE WATSON (Associated Press)PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) — Hilary, the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, swept people into swollen rivers, toppled trees onto homes and flooded roadways as the massive system marched northward Monday, prompting flood watches and warnings in more than a half dozen states. The National Hurricane Center in Miami downgraded Hilary to a post-tropical storm Monday morning, but warned that “continued life-threatening and locally catastrophic flooding” was expected over portions of the southwestern U.S., along with record-breaking rainfall. There was the potential of flooding in states as far north as Oregon and Idaho. Remnants of the storm were expected to linger at least through Tuesday morning.Hilary, which first slammed into Mexico’s arid Baja California Peninsula, causing one death and widespread flooding, was one of several potentially catastrophic natural events affe...

Here's why you may have gotten a headache during Hilary

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:52 GMT

Prepping for a historic weather event can be stressful, time-consuming and headache-inducing... literally.If you experienced a headache while Tropical Storm Hilary made itself known in Southern California, you aren't alone. Google searches involving the terms "headache," "Hilary" and other weather-related terms, saw a spike over the weekend. Posts on social media also complained about the sudden onset of headache symptoms. So what gives?Aside from flooding roadways and knocking over trees, Hilary also wreaked havoc on some people's bodies by way of lowering the barometric, or atmospheric, pressure.Barometric pressure is, essentially, the measurement of the weight of the earth's atmosphere. Drops in atmospheric pressure are typically associated with storms, with tropical storms and hurricanes among the most noticeable; the lower the pressure, the more powerful the storm tends to be. Live updates: Tropical Storm Hilary According to the Cleveland Clinic, research has shown that chan...

California is the most expensive place to own a dog, study says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:52 GMT

While the love and companionship of a dog is priceless, ownership is not.California, already known for its high cost of living expenses, has ranked as the most expansive place to own a dog, according to a new study from Market Watch.California dog owners pay an average of $35,452 over their dog’s lifetime, the highest of any state, researchers found. This is how much it costs to have a baby in California The high cost of owning a dog in California is primarily due to expensive pet insurance premiums, vet care and dog food, the report said.To determine the ranking, researchers calculated the average cost of owning a Labrador retriever, the most popular dog in the U.S. based on data from the American Kennel Club. Assuming that the dog lives up to 11 years, analysts found the average costs of annual fees, such as insurance, grooming, food, checkups, toys, boarding and emergency vet visits and upfront costs such as neuter procedures and vaccines. This is how much people need to ear...

Man stabbed with kitchen shears in Culver City church, police say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:52 GMT

A man was arrested by the Culver City Police Department on Sunday after officers say he exhibited some decidedly un-Christian behavior at a local church.According to police, the unidentified assailant stabbed another man with kitchen shears at Grace Lutheran Church, located at 4427 Overland Ave., police said in a news release. When officers arrived just after 8:15 p.m., the victim was bleeding at the church building entry. He was taken to a local hospital with stab wounds to his neck and back.The assailant was also located and taken into custody. The incident will be submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for potential charges.Police have not detailed a possible motive for the attack, and no further details were released. Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Edward Baskaron at 310-253-6316 or the Watch Commander at 310-253-6202.

Pedestrian Crash on West First Street Kills Man [Santa Ana, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:52 GMT

Male Pedestrian Fatally Struck in Fatal Collision near Flower StreetSANTA ANA, CA (August 21, 2023) – Early Sunday morning, a man was fatally struck in a pedestrian crash on West First Street.Officers responded to the scene around 5:10 a.m., at the 900 block of West First Street near Flower Street.According to reports, the driver of an eastbound vehicle struck a male pedestrian that was attempting to cross First Street. Paramedics arrived and rushed the victim to a nearby hospital where he later died.Meanwhile, the driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.At this time, police do not believe drugs or alcohol played a factor. Those with additional information about the pedestrian crash are encouraged to contact the Santa Ana Police Department at 714-245-8223 or 714-245-8200.No words can mend the broken hearts and sorrow felt during this delicate moment. Deepest condolences and sympathies are with the family and friends of the deceased victi...

2 Dead after Motorcycle Collision on Mount Whitney Avenue [Fresno County, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:52 GMT

Two Fatally Struck in Motorcycle Accident near Garfield AvenueFRESNO COUNTY, CA (August 21, 2023) – Thursday evening, two victims were killed in a motorcycle collision on Mount Whitney Avenue.Authorities responded to the scene around 9:00 p.m., just west of Garfield Avenue on August 17th.For reasons unknown, two motorcyclists were traveling in the opposite direction when they collided.Medics arrived and pronounced a 38-year-old rider from Riverside and a 43-year-old rider of a Yamaha dead at the scene. Although, police have not yet released their identities.Following preliminary duties, police say both riders were not wearing helmets at the time. In addition, investigators say the two victims knew each other and would frequently ride together.Police do not suspect drugs and alcohol to be a potential factor. At this time, Fresno County officials continue to investigate the fatal Mount Whitney Avenue motorcycle crash.In this sorrowful time, the Sweet James team would like to ext...

Correction: How did we get here? Antioch dragged feet on police reforms, delighting officers facing civil rights charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:52 GMT

Correction: An A1 story from August 20 incorrectly stated the city that paid a $7.3 million settlement in 2020 to the family of Humberto Martinez who died in police custody. The case was in Pittsburg.

Donald Trump’s bond set at $200,000 in Georgia case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:52 GMT

By Alanna Durkin Richer and Jill Colvin | Associated PressDonald Trump’s bond has been set at $200,000 in the Georgia case accusing the former president of scheming to overturn his 2020 election loss, according to court papers filed Monday.The bond agreement, outlined in a court filing signed by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Trump’s defense attorneys, also bars Trump from intimidating co-defendants, witnesses or victims in the case — including on social media.He is also prohibited from communicating “in any way, directly or indirectly” about the facts of the case with any co-defendant or witness, except through attorneys.Trump was charged last week in the case alongside 18 allies who prosecutors say conspired to subvert the will of voters in a desperate bid to keep the Republican in the White House after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.Trump has denied any wrongdoing. He has been railing against the case since before he was indicted and singled out Georgi...